A NIOSH health-hazard evaluation describes poultry-house respirable aerosol containing feather dust, dander, excreta, plant material, microorganisms, and endotoxins, with potential for hypersensitivity responses, allergic rhinitis, and bronchial asthma.
Source: CDC/NIOSH: Health Hazard Evaluation Report 1983-0195-1426 — poultry grower respiratory exposures ↗Dust entry
Feather and poultry-house dust
Respirable organic aerosol generated in poultry houses from feathers, dander, litter, feed, excreta, and microbial material.
Airborne form
aerosol
The form describes what is suspended in air at the point of exposure. A material can produce more than one form, such as dust during handling and fume during heating.
Health effects
hypersensitivity pneumonitisbird-handler's lungallergic rhinitisoccupational asthmarespiratory irritationendotoxin exposure
Evidence
Controls
- ventilation
- enclosed litter handling
- dust suppression
- mechanized cleaning
- exposure monitoring
- medical surveillance
- appropriate respiratory protection